ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing

By: Zagazola Makama

The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has officially recognized the Lakurawa Group as its clandestine operational wing, formalizing a strategic corridor between its two major factions EIGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) active around Lake Chad.

The announcement, made in the wake of two deadly attacks on May 4 in Niger, marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape. On that day, armed militants attacked Dogonkiria in Dosso region, killing at least 30 security force personnel, and Danga in Tillabéri region, where six volunteer fighters for the defense of the homeland (VDPs) were slain.

Zagazola Makama believes the operational link now established between the Sarma Forest in Nigeria and Anderamboukane in Mali via central Niger will enable increased mobility for fighters, arms trafficking, intelligence sharing, and hostage transfers. This corridor, long suspected by observers, has now been confirmed as a key axis for extremist logistics.

Sources say the emergence of ISSP reflects a new phase in Islamic State operations in the region, marked by greater coordination, territorial fluidity, and strategic exploitation of Niger’s governance and airspace gaps particularly since the withdrawal or downsizing of key international security partners.

Zagazola reports that the central strip of Niger already marked by repeated attacks, pipeline sabotage, and mass civilian casualties is increasingly falling under the shadow of ISSP. Many of these incidents had previously gone unclaimed but are now attributed to the group’s covert campaign to secure this critical transit route.

Zagazola warn that if the current trend continues unchecked, the entire security architecture of West Africa may be destabilized, with spillover effects extending beyond the Sahel to Nigeria.

He called for renewed multilateral cooperation and intelligence-sharing, transcending political divisions and post-coup dynamics.

In recent months, Zagazola had raised alarm over the quiet expansion of Lakurawa, cautioning that the group was a proxy for EIGS. The confirmation by ISSP now validates those concerns, signaling an urgent need for proactive counterterrorism measures and regional solidarity.

ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing

NDLEA officer arrested for attempted armed robbery, shooting bolt driver in Abuja

By: Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a serving officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for attempted armed robbery and shooting a Bolt driver in Abuja.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred in the early hours of May 9 at about 12:10 a.m., when a distress call was received from City View Estate in the Galadimawa area reporting an armed robbery attempt.

The sources said that the suspect, identified as Felix Emmanuel, an Inspector with the NDLEA FCT Command, allegedly attempted to rob and hijack a Toyota Corolla with registration number KWL 736 SZ from a Bolt driver, Mr Israel Emeka, while the vehicle was in motion.

During the struggle, the suspect reportedly shot the driver with a locally fabricated pistol. The victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, where he is currently receiving treatment.

According to the police sources, its operatives from Galadimawa Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), swiftly responded to the distress call and arrested the suspect at the scene.

A locally made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from him.

NDLEA officer arrested for attempted armed robbery, shooting bolt driver in Abuja

Troops neutralise five terrorist, rescue 38 family members in Borno clearance operation

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Hybrid Forces and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have neutralised five terrorist and rescued 38 family members of fleeing insurgents during a clearance operation around Geizua, Borno State.

The operation, which is part of the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity IV under Operation Hadin Kai, targeted terrorist enclaves in the Shehutari and Churchur areas of Bama Local Government Area.

A reliable military source told Zagazola Makama on Saturday that the clearance mission began at about 8 a.m. on May 8, 2025.

The troops reportedly advanced from their harbour area, clearing camps around Shehutari and Churchur, which were found deserted.

As the troops continued the operation, they encountered fleeing terrorists where five insurgent was neutralised.

The troops also intercepted a group of terrorist family members, comprising 17 adult women and 21 children, who were taken into custody for profiling and further investigation.

Troops neutralise five terrorist, rescue 38 family members in Borno clearance operation